Jesus as a Carpenter

I found this really good information that gives some light into how Jesus labored day to day for His earthly father, Joseph, and after Josephs’ death before His ministry began. His work was truly hard labor! the website I gathered this article from is found at: http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2010570#h=8

Knowledge, Strength, and Skill Required A carpenter needed to know the characteristics of the wood he worked with. He could choose from locally grown timber, such as cypress, oak, cedar, sycamore, and olive. However, a first-century carpenter could not visit a lumber yard or a building supply store and pick up lumber cut to his specifications. Rather, he would travel to the forest, select the appropriate trees, fell them, and then haul the heavy logs back to his workshop.

What would a carpenter produce from the lumber he gathered? He might spend many hours outdoors, helping to build houses. He would mill rafters for the roof, manufacture stairs for the interior, and make doors, windows, and frames for the walls.

A carpenter would also produce furniture. The accompanying illustrations show some of these products—storage cabinets with drawers, shelves, or doors; stools , chairs, and tablesof various sizes and shapes; and cradles for daytime infant care. To decorate some furniture, he might inlay it with attractive wood carved to form intricate patterns. To protect and beautify the items, he might coat them with beeswax, varnish, or oil.

A carpenter also made products for the local farmers—yokesshaped from heavy wood as well as forks, rakes, and shovels. The plowshe made had to be sturdy, for their iron points would be gouging furrows through rocky soil. He made wooden carts and wagons and crafted the solid or spoked wheels upon which those vehicles rode. His occupation might also include repairing and maintaining the furniture, tools, and vehicles he made.

Can you imagine how Jesus’ work as a carpenter influenced his appearance? Think of Jesus’ skin bronzed by the Middle Eastern sun, his muscles strengthened by years of physical labor, and his hands hardened from gripping rough wood and wielding axes, hammers, and saws.

A Source of Illustrations Jesus masterfully used simple, familiar objects to teach deep spiritual truths. Did he draw on his background as a carpenter for some of his illustrations? Consider a few possibilities. “Why, then, do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the rafter in your own eye?” he told one crowd. A carpenter would know how massive a rafter was. (Matthew 7:3) Later, Jesus said to another group: “No man that has put his hand to a plow and looks at the things behind is well fitted for the kingdom of God.” He would also likely have made his share of plows. (Luke 9:62) One of Jesus’ warmest invitations involved a piece of equipment manufactured by a carpenter. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,” said Jesus. “My yoke is kindly and my load is light.” (Matthew 11:29, 30) Jesus no doubt knew how to make a yoke that did not chafe but was “kindly,” or well-fitted.

Jesus’ opposers might disparagingly have referred to him as “the carpenter’s son.” Even so, as in the first century, Christians today consider it an honor to follow this humble former carpenter.

The Carpenter’s Toolbox:

A first-century carpenter like Jesus would need to know how to handle the tools depicted here. His saw (1) consisted of a wooden frame holding an iron blade with teeth set in a way that would cut on the pull stroke. He would use a square to lay out his work and a plumb to line up vertical surfaces. Also in his toolbox were a level , a rule stick, a plane with its sharp, adjustable iron blade for smoothing rough lumber , and an axfor cutting down trees.

The carpenter’s bow lathe and gouge were used for cutting and shaping spindles. On the toolbox lid, you can see a wooden mallet used for pounding dowels into joints or for driving chisels. Also shown are a small handsaw, a drawknife for shaping, and some nails. In front of the toolbox is an iron hammerand an adzefor roughing out timber. On the lid is a knife as well as chisels of various widths. A bow drill leans against the toolbox.

An artisan, craftsman, or worker in wood. The Hebrew term cha·rashʹ is the general designation for a “craftsman,” “worker,” or “builder,” who would use various materials such as wood, metal, or stone. (2Ki The Greek equivalent is teʹkton, translated “carpenter” in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3.

Noah and his three sons had much carpentry work to do in building the huge ark, according to the pattern given by Jehovah.—Ge 6:14-16.

The carpenter in Israel would be employed in constructing houses and, in later times, structures such as synagogues. Although buildings were for the most part made of stone or earth, some wood was used, for example, in beams and doors. The things constructed by the carpenter in Bible times included furniture, such as tables, stools, and benches. Many implements such as plows and threshing sledges were partly or entirely made of wood. (2Sa 24:22) In the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings, Bezalel and Oholiab were especially guided by Jehovah God. His spirit accentuated their ability to do the finest work in wood, as well as other materials. (Ex 31:2-11) Skilled workers in wood were brought from Tyre for the building of David’s house. (2Sa 5:11) Zerubbabel used carpenters in building the second temple in Jerusalem.—Ezr 3:7.

Jesus was called not only “the carpenter’s son” (Mt 13:55) but “the carpenter” as well. (Mr 6:3) Since the Hebrew father usually taught his son his trade, Jesus no doubt learned carpentry from his adoptive father Joseph